KC 46 e KC 767 AMI quali problemi?

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McConnell AFB ... si festeggia l' arrivo dei primi due KC-46A ...

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The Air Force began its next era of aerial refueling on Friday, as the first two KC-46s left their production facility here and landed at McConnell AFB, Kan., to begin service.
The tankers, tail numbers 15-6009 and 17-6031, left Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Wash., on a cold and foggy morning, with a KC-135 from McConnell leading the way. 
The two aircraft touched down in the afternoon. 
During a ceremony at the base the same day, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said the arrival of the aircraft marked a “new era” of refueling.

Fonte: airforcemag.com ... McConnell Celebrates the Arrival of Its First KC-46s ...

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Ora Boeing ... corre ... 

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Third and Fourth KC-46s Delivered to McConnell .....

The Air Force on Thursday took delivery of the third and fourth KC-46 tankers, less than a week after the first two landed at McConnell AFB, Kan. 
Two VIPs - USAF Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lt. Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, the director of staff for headquarters Air Force - flew the two tankers from Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Wash., to McConnell. 
The deliveries continue the pace Boeing is expecting to set through the next year, averaging three KC-46 deliveries per month for a total of 36. 
The first four were delivered to McConnell, the first USAF operating location for the jet, and Boeing said last week it expects deliveries to Altus AFB, Okla., to begin next month. 

- Brian Everstine (Air Force Magazine - 01 Feb. 2019)

 

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Ancora sui problemi che affliggono il KC-46 ... l'Air Force corre ai ripari ...

http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/February 2019/Air-Force-Working-to-Address-Remaining-KC-46-Deficiencies.aspx

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Boeing ha consegnato il quinto KC-46A ...

... flightglobal.com ... Boeing transfers fifth KC-46A to Altus base ...

Nonostante tutto le perdite finanziarie legate al programma continuano a salire ...

... flightglobal.com ... Boeing losses in KC-46A programme continue to rise ...

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Sono già due i KC-46A consegnati alla base aerea di Altus ...

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Air Education and Training Command kicked off its KC-46 era on Friday as Altus AFB, Okla., accepted two of the new tankers for the service’s sole Pegasus training schoolhouse.
The two KC-46s - the fifth and sixth overall for the Air Force - landed for a celebration at the base, which has built up its infrastructure and brought in personnel over the past several years to be ready for the new tanker.
“This machine, coupled with a team of airmen who know how to innovate, becomes one of the most powerful tools of air superiority in the 21st century,” Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, said at the ceremony.

L'articolo prosegue qui: airforcemag.com ... Altus Receives Its First KC-46s ...

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Mentre per il KC-46A sono iniziate le consegne ... già si pensa al KC-Z ...

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The Air Force is mapping out the unprecedented capabilities it will need in a next-generation tanker, laying out an aggressive timeline for the “KC-Z” while it is only just getting the KC-46 to operational status. 
It’s not expected at this point that the KC-Z will be stealthy, however.
Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Maryanne Miller said it will take a year to identify the capabilities it wants in the future tanker, a process that is beginning right now. 
These requirements will be driven by the threat, as laid out in the National Defense Strategy and USAF’s Next Generation Air Dominance future fighter system. 
“We’ll have a tanker that supports” NGAD, she said, though she said it’s too early to say what exactly what will mean; whether, for example, the future tanker will be autonomous.
“Our priority right now is going to be the KC-Z,” she said.

L'intero articolo ... airforcemag.com ... Air Mobility Command Looks to Future Tanker as it Begins to Receive KC-46s ...

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E si ... è proprio una telenovela ...

... flightglobal.com ... USAF stops Boeing KC-46 deliveries for second time after more FOD ...

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Le consegne riprenderanno nel giro di qualche settimana ...

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The Air Force will begin receiving KC-46s again within weeks, following a second round of inspections after more foreign object debris was discovered in the aircraft. 
However, the service now needs to send the aircraft it has already received back to Boeing for more checks.
Will Roper, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for acquisition, told reporters at the Space Foundation’s Space Symposium in Colorado on Tuesday the Air Force is again satisfied with Boeing’s corrective actions. 
The service will accept more aircraft in the near future after sealed areas like fuel tanks are deemed compliant, and once it ensures the company is obeying its corrective action plan.

Fonte: airforcemag.com ... KC-46 Deliveries to Resume Within Weeks ...

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Boeing ... siamo orgogliosi ...

 

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Boeing prende la rincorsa ...

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Boeing plans to deliver 36 KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers to the US Air Force in 2019 despite two stoppages earlier in the year when foreign object debris was found inside multiple aircraft.
The company is on contract to deliver 36 aircraft by the end of the year and has thus far delivered 8 aircraft to the USAF. 
The service recently signed off on delivery of three more tankers, which are likely to be delivered on 17 May, says the company. 
Boeing says it should deliver 18 aircraft by the end of June.

... flightglobal.com ... Boeing pacing to deliver 36 KC-46A tankers in 2019 despite delays ...

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Ora sono 11 !

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Boeing has delivered three more KC-46As to the Air Force, bringing the total number of tankers sent to the service to 11.
One tanker left Boeing Field in Seattle for McConnell AFB, Kan., May 17. McConnell, which is the first operating base for the aircraft, received the first tanker for the service in January and now has six of the aircraft.
Two more KC-46s left Boeing Field for Altus AFB, Okla., on May 18. 
Altus is the service’s training base for the aircraft, and now has five of tankers.

... Boeing Delivers Three More KC-46s, USAF Fleet Now at 11 ...

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Tempo di offerte ...

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As Boeing gears up for the Paris Air Show, its sales pitch to countries shopping for a new or first aerial tanker capability will be that the US Air Force will pay to keep the worldwide KC-46 fleet up to date, saving countries money and assuring them the product will have long-term support.
In a briefing for international journalists on May 15, Boeing KC-46 and P-8 international sales director Matt Carreon said the Air Force is committed to a buy of at least 179 KC-46s, and supporting them with upgrades and modifications “for the next 30-plus years.” 
If a customer were to buy a tanker that didn’t have a large worldwide fleet, each customer would have to pay to develop upgrades, modifications, and new capabilities, he said. 
While the customer would pay for installations, the Air Force will develop the fleetwide enhancements at its own expense.

... airforcemag.com ... Boeing’s International KC-46 Sales Pitch: Let USAF Pay For R&D ...

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A sorpresa ... 
... gli Emirati ne vogliono tre ...

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The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a surprise customer for KC-46A Pegasus, having formally made a request to buy the tanker aircraft, according to manufacturer Boeing.
Speaking to reporters at a media event on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue regional security summit in Singapore, Jeff Shockey, Boeing’s vice president of global sales for defense, space and security, confirmed that the Middle Eastern kingdom had issued a letter of request for three tankers.
--- --- ---
The UAE’s request to buy the KC-46A is a surprise, given it currently already operates three Airbus A330 multirole tanker transports.

 ... defensenews.com ... UAE issues formal request to buy KC-46A tanker, says Boeing ...

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Boeing ... esplora ... 

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Boeing is working on potential international deals related to its KC-46A tanker and the 737-based E-7 airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft.
--- --- ---
Shockey ... revealed that there are six KC-46A sales opportunities globally for up to 20 aircraft. 
These are in Indonesia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, NATO, Norway, and Japan. 
Of these, Japan already has orders for the type, but the UAE is a surprise given that it already operates the KC-46A’s rival, the Airbus Defence & Space A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).

... flightglobal.com ... Boeing eyes international KC-46A, E-7 opportunities ...

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Intanto ... presso la Edwards AFB ...

https://twitter.com/EdwardsAFB/status/1136344359207624704

 

 

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Ritardi e ... conseguenze ...  

... flightglobal.com ... USAF forced to move Boeing KC-46A funds to sustain older KC-135s ... 

Secondo il GAO ...

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Because of the delivery delays to date and other factors in the existing tanker fleet, an Air Mobility Command official said leadership is currently planning to fly and maintain some legacy KC-135 tankers longer than
planned until the KC-46 is available to conduct missions. 
According to the official, the Air Force plans to reallocate $57 million in fiscal year 2020 funds from the KC-46 program to the KC-135 program to support this decision. 
The funding would cover the cost to fly and sustain some KC135 aircraft above what the Command had planned, including the associated personnel costs. 
Air Mobility Command officials said that decisions about retaining some legacy KC-135 aircraft will be reviewed
annually thereafter. 
If these aircraft are retained, funding would be reallocated from the KC-46 program to support the decision.

... https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/699661.pdf ...

 

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Da Parigi ... il KC-46A presente per la prima volta al Salone ...

... flightglobal.com ... PARIS: KC-46A makes show debut as opportunities beckon ...

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Intanto, negli USA, LM lancia la sfida ...

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Lockheed Martin has been in talks with US Transportation Command about providing Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports to the US Air Force, either as a sale, lease, or “fee for service” platform, to supplement the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet, Michele Evans, company executive vice president of aeronautical programs, told reporters on June 13 in advance of the Paris Air Show. 
Lockheed and Airbus are partnered on the aircraft, which Evans said could be a strong competitor if the Air Force opts to compete the second phase of its KC-135 replacement program, known as KC-Y. 
The A330 could deliver fuel at a lower price per gallon than the KC-46, she asserted. 
The MRTT has been successful in almost all of its international competitions with the KC-46, she noted.
Although Lockheed has promoted a stealth tanker idea for many years, Evans did not champion that concept saying it isn’t clear what the Air Force’s needs will be.

... airforcemag.com ... Lockheed Promotes Aeronautical Programs in Advance of Paris Air Show ...

[Flaggy]

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-usaf-still-finding-fod-in-boeing-kc-46-and-ex-459031/

Con i 737 Max a terra e le scuse per i recenti incidenti, ora ci si scusa anche per la "spazzatura" dimenticata nelle nouve aerocistene.

Non è un gran periodo per Boeing.

Il fatto che il 767 civile sia fuori produzione mentre il KC-46 non ha una linea diciamo così...rodata, non sono ragioni sufficienti per dimenticare le pinze nella pancia del paziente...

Capisco (con qualche sforzo) i problemi tecnici, ma controllino in più per evitare simili figure non ci sarebbe male...

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E di che ti preoccupi ...

Sono solo "problemi culturali" ...

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L' Air Force prende le sue precauzioni ...

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The U.S. Air Force has withheld $360 million from Boeing due to problems with the company’s KC-46 tanker, according to a service official. 
It’s the first time the Air Force has disclosed the total amount being held back until Boeing fixes various problems with the planes. 
Service officials previously said they could withhold up to $28 million per plane, roughly 20 percent of its delivery cost. 
Wednesday’s disclosure shows that the Air Force is following through with that pledge. 
To date, Boeing has delivered 13 tankers to the Air Force, meaning the firm has been shorted nearly $27.7 million per plane.

La fonte ... defenseone.com ... https://www.defenseone.com/business/2019/07/us-air-force-has-withheld-360m-and-counting-boeings-tanker-woes/158673/ ...

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Proseguono le consegne dei KC-46 ...

... airforcemag.com ... http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/August%202019/First-KC-46s-Delivered-to-Pease-Another-to-McConnell.aspx ...

 

 

[Flaggy]

Le consegne proseguono, ma per l attuatore della sonda non se ne viene fuori se non riprogettando e retrofittando.

No bene manco per il sistema di telecamere.

Decisamente non è un bel periodo per i prodotti Boeing.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-juggles-kc-46-tanker-deliveries-and-boom-rede-460233/

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KC-46A ... l'odissea continua ... 

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In a move that could have major impacts on the already-delayed tanker program, the U.S. Air Force has indefinitely barred the KC-46 from carrying cargo and passengers, Defense News has learned.
The decision was made after an incident occurred where the cargo locks on the bottom of the floor of the aircraft became unlocked during a recent flight, creating concerns that airmen could potentially be hurt or even killed by heavy equipment that suddenly bursts free during a flight.
“As a result of this discovery, the Air Force has submitted a Category 1 deficiency report and is working with Boeing to identify a solution,” Air Force Mobility Command spokesman Col. Damien Pickart said in a statement. 
The service uses the term Category 1 describe serious technical issues that could endanger the aircrew and aircraft or have other major effects.

... defensenews.com ... US Air Force restricts KC-46 from carrying cargo and passengers ...

Anche qui ... airforcemag.com ... KC-46 Banned From Carrying Cargo, Passengers Due to Major New Deficiency ...

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L' Air Force accusa  Boeing ... 

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It’s been eight months since the U.S. Air Force accepted the first KC-46 tanker from Boeing, but the head of Air Mobility Command says the company hasn’t made headway on the aircraft’s biggest technical problem.
“When we accepted the KC-46 with known CAT 1 deficiencies, we did so with the belief that it offered the fastest route to achieve limited operational capability and meet an urgent war-fighter requirement,” Gen. Maryanne Miller (*) said during a Wednesday roundtable at the Air Force Association’s conference. 
Miller used a shortened version of the term category 1, which the service uses to describe serious technical issues that impact safety or could result in the loss of an aircraft or life.
“Eight months have passed since our first delivery, and Boeing has not made any progress [on the Remote Vision System]," she said.

Fonte ... defensenews.com ... https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/2019/09/18/amc-commander-boeing-has-not-made-progress-on-kc-46/ ...

(*) ... af.mil ... https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108440/general-maryanne-miller/ ...